One of the most sought-after and accepted tests for proving your proficiency and hold in the English language, IELTS, evaluates how well are with the language. This International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test is required to be taken by all those non-native English language speakers who wish to pursue higher studies or work or migrate overseas, where communicating in English is mandatory. More than 10,000 universities, government agencies, employers, professional organisations, etc. acknowledge the scores of this exam as a pre-requisite for providing admission or employment to applicants.
If we talk about IELTS Academic, it is attempted by those who wish to get enrolled in a university abroad for higher education. IELTS General is meant for those who have plans to migrate to some other country. Both of these share almost the same listening and speaking content; the only difference which exists in the reading and writing sections.
IELTS Exam Pattern
- Listening: Consists of four parts, each consisting of 10 questions (total 40 questions). Parts 1 and 2 are related to everyday situations in a social context and the other two parts revolve around educational and training contexts. The allotted time is 30 minutes. Each right question will award you 1 mark.
Types of tasks: Sentence completion, MCQs, map/diagram labelling, matching, flowchart or summary completion.
- Academic Reading: A total of 40 questions are asked and the time allotted is 60 minutes. The paper will have three reading passages out of which questions will be framed. Each right question will fetch you 1 mark.
Type of tasks: Matching heading, matching sentence endings, matching features, sentence, note, table and summary completion, MCQs, short answer questions, etc.
- General Training Reading: You will have to answer 40 questions in 60 questions here. This section consists of three parts.
Type of tasks: Sentence completion, MCQs, short-answer questions, diagram label completion, matching information, matching features, matching headings, summary completion, etc.
- Academic Writing: It will consist of two mandatory writing tasks and 60 minutes will be given to complete the same. The first part will require you to describe a table/chart/ graph or a diagram. In the second task, a problem or an argument will be provided to which you will have to respond.
- General Training Writing: The total time limit is 60 minutes. Two tasks will have to be completed in this section. The first will need you to write a letter and in the second you will write an essay.
- Speaking: This section takes 11-14 minutes. Your spoken English will be evaluated here. A recorded session will be conducted where the examiner will ask you some questions. It will be like an oral interview. This test consists of three parts. Check: Idioms for IELTS Speaking Test
Type of tasks: Answering questions related to family, friends, education, etc. and speaking about an allotted topic.
IELTS Vocabulary
One significant factor which makes good vocabulary exigent in IELTS is that the same or lexical resource holds 25% weightage in an examinee’s final result, encompassing both speaking and writing parts. So being a wordsmith is something which will definitely yield positive results for you.
Importance of Vocabulary in the IELTS Exam
The test will judge an examinee’s ability to make use of his vocabulary accurately and creatively in order to form or complete sentences by listening to recorded texts, conversations, monologues, reading, data explanation, essay writing, etc. What will leave an impression is your prowess at using different words efficiently, without altering the meaning of the sentence. The most useful tactic that one can use to polish his/her vocabulary is getting acquainted with synonyms for commonly used words. Synonyms, meaning ‘related words’ or ‘words with the same meaning’ are easy to memorize if done on a regular basis.
A good vocabulary will help you convey your thoughts and ideas smoothly to others without letting misunderstandings disturb the conversation. In order to not repeat the same word frequently in a paragraph or a sentence, smartly use the synonym of the said word. This will help the examiner conclude that your vocab storehouse is quite full and handy.
Read: IELTS Speaking Test Questions & Answers: Vocabulary, Idioms & Phrases
IELTS Vocabulary Tips
- Avoid using difficult or complex words in your ‘general writing’ section. Doing so will force the examiner into thinking that you’re deliberately using complicated words in order to leave an impression. It will appear made up and may affect your result adversely.
- Pick up your favourite documentary, TV program, novel or even a newspaper and go through the same daily. There may be words or terms used in these which might be alien to you. Note down the same in a diary and keep brushing through them daily for memorizing them.
- Many times you may come across new terms while communicating on a day-to-day basis with your friends, family or random people. When you spot such a word, immediately make a note of it in your cell phone’s notepad and explore the same later on. Learn their meaning and try to make simple sentences. Communicating with people is one of the most effective ways of improving your vocabulary.
- Various vocabulary-building apps such as vocabulary.com, Memrise, WordUp, PowerVocab, Magoosh, etc. can be downloaded for improving your hold on vocabulary.
- Internet is your best source for improving vocabulary as thousands of websites and blogs dedicated to IELTS vocabulary and generic as well can be found easily. You can also find the PDF of vocabulary words asked in previous year’s IELTS exams. You can also test your knowledge by attempting vocabulary quizzes and tests for free.
Idioms for IELTS
A group of words with non-literal meaning which cannot be deciphered directly are called idioms. The speaking tasks in IELTS analyse how well examinees use idiomatic language from bands 7 and above. These expressions or phrases are not very uncommon. Almost all of us have heard or used idioms at one point in time but most of us did not hang on to them.
Example: Someone hurt you and you wish to say ‘You’ll get the taste of your own medicine’ to express your anger. Literally, these words imply tasting your own medicine. However, the idiomatic meaning conveys the repercussion of one’s actions. It means you’re wishing someone would face exactly what they made happen to you (negatively).
| Idiom |
Meaning |
|---|---|
| A bad egg |
Someone who is unreliable |
| Party Pooper |
Someone lacking enthusiasm & liveliness |
| In Somebody’s shoes |
To be in someone else’s place |
| Hit the hay |
Going to bed |
| In the nick of time |
Just at the moment |
| Bite the bullet |
To do or accept something unwanted |
| Face the music |
Repercussions or punishment for one’s actions |
| Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth |
To be born privileged |
| Not rocket science |
Something that is not difficult to accomplish |
| Turn over a new leaf |
To transfer into a better version |
| Burn the midnight oil |
Staying awake late at night and working |
| Call it a day |
Putting an end to the day’s activity |
| Miss the boat |
Failing to grab an opportunity |
| A drop in the ocean |
Too small or less to make a difference |
| A piece of cake |
Something that can be accomplished easily |
| Go the extra mile |
To put special efforts |
| Keep one’s chin up |
To maintain calm during hard times |
| Beating around the bush |
Straying away from the main point |
| Lend an ear |
Hear someone with compassion |
| See eye to eye |
To share the same opinion as someone else |
| At the drop of a hat |
Without delaying |
| To fight tooth and nail |
To do something with full effort |
| Down in the dumps |
To be miserable |
| To bring the house down |
To make everyone present laugh a lot |
| Cost an arm and a leg |
Something which is very expensive |
What needs to be kept in mind is that correct usage of idioms is very important for scoring well in the exam. The term ‘Collocation’ refers to two or more words that are used together so that they sound correct and make sense. The IELTS speaking section assesses the collocation of idioms used.
Example: One won’t write ‘Pooper Party’ but ‘Party pooper’ as it is the right placement of terms conveying a correct meaning.
Read: IELTS Cue Card Preparation Strategy: Pattern, Topics & Test Samples
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The subject of IELTS Reading section on the Academic IELTS is based on common topics of interest. These topics are mostly academically sourced topics that make up the three passages on this section. The topics on which the IELTS Readin section are tested can be from different subjects of:
The list is endless and the topics can vary at large for IELTS Academic - Reading section. Thus, applicants can prepare for the IELTS Reading section and can find material at: IELTS Reading: Practice Test with Answers